Instructor – Sewing Machine Operator

Instructor – Sewing Machine Operator

Reporting To: Instructor – Sewing Machine Operator

Location: Mombasa and Kilifi

Type of Position: Instructor

Contract Term: One Year Renewable Contract

Introduction to Generation

Generation is one of the world’s largest, fastest scaling global demand-driven youth employment programs, providing young adults with the opportunity to launch successful careers and change their life trajectories. We recruit, train and place diverse adults of all ages — whether unemployed or underemployed — into careers that would otherwise be beyond their reach.

We started with a focus on youth, who are keen to launch their careers from non-traditional pathways (e.g. youth with no higher educational qualifications and require support to mitigate challenges due to socioeconomic backgrounds, individuals seeking to enter professions where their profile is traditionally underrepresented), and have now expanded to mid-career workers seeking jobs in demand (e.g. workers who have been displaced potentially due to automation or economic downturn, rejoining caretakers who have been out of the workforce for a significant amount of time).

Our goal is to deliver for job seekers and employers simultaneously: supporting the individual’s personal and financial well-being, while helping businesses acquire entry-level hires who have higher productivity, are of higher quality, are retained longer, and are faster to promotion than peers.

To date, Generation is active in 17 countries: USA, Kenya, Brazil, Spain, Mexico, India, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, UK, France, Italy, Ireland, Thailand, Chile, Colombia and Ghana, with plans of expanding to a few more countries.

Since launching in May 2015, Generation Kenya has trained over 33,192 candidates across 6 different industries. 85% of whom have been placed in meaningful employment with our over 350+ employer partners. We currently train for entry-level roles in 5 programs namely, Freelance Admin Support Work, Sewing Machine Operator, Distributed Sales, Retail and Restaurant and Digital Customer Service.

Driven by our vision, “a meaningful career and sustained well-being for every person anywhere in the world,” and mission “we transform education to employment systems to prepare, place and support people into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible,” we aim to address the skills gap that hinders growth in the formal sector.

Job purpose:

 The SMO Instructor will be responsible for delivering training to Sewing Machine Operator (SMO) learners based on the Generation Curriculum at the assigned training Centre.

Roles & Responsibilities:

 Program Delivery

  • Provide instruction and demonstrate SMO technical skills following the Generation Program Kenya curriculum, including the behavioural skills, mindsets, and employer specific.
  • Instruct and demonstrate basic machine maintenance.
  • Ensure safe and appropriate use of equipment.
  • Always maintain professionalism in accordance with Generation’s guidelines

Program Management

  • Support in mobilization for new participants.
  • Participate in screening of quality candidates who will take part in the training.
  • Understand individual student learning needs (and Individualized Education Plans, when applicable) to accommodate various types of learning styles based on Generation methodology.
  • Provide feedback to students on weekly assessments – including efficiency and quality.
  • Monitor the progress of participants and provide/seek further support to ensure good quality candidates

Ongoing Development

  • Provide feedback to the Generation team on the effectiveness of the curriculum.
  • Support Generation’s data-driven model by tracking student attendance and performance in class and on assessments.
  • Attend in-person and online trainings to improve instructional practice.
  • Engage in debrief conversations (e.g., post observations) with other instructors and/or Quality
  • Assurance team to improve instructional practice

Mentoring

  • Build relationships with students, develop an understanding of their personal strengths and challenges, and foster a supportive classroom environment.
  • Prepare participants adequately for interviews based on employer requirements
  • Work with the program mentor and Generation staff to identify and address any issues that could prevent students from completing the program

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Knowledge, Qualifications and Experience

  • Minimum of a Diploma in Textile Technology and Fashion
  • Grade 1 accredited Garment making/ Clothing Technology or Fashion design qualification – preferable.
  • At least 5 years supervisory industry experience and or / Garment making teaching experience.
  • Must possess good facilitation/training skills, at least 2-year relevant experience in similar position.

Skills And Abilities

  • Excellent oral/presentation skills – in English and Kiswahili
  • Strong teamwork orientation, with ability to lead and work effectively with a range of learners and colleagues.
  • Passionate for maintaining the quality in content and training delivery methodology.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft suite (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Core Competencies

Motivational Fit

  • Commit to and empathize with young people and disconnected populations.
  • Work successfully in a fast-paced, start-up environment.
  • Fulfill the expectations of the instructor role inside and outside of the Generation classroom.

Delivery of Skills-based Training

  • Follow the overarching structure and flow of a curriculum.
  • Engage participants in active thinking and participation.
  • Deliver instruction that is rigorous, relevant, and appropriate for adults.

Commitment to Reflection and Growth 

  • Be self-reflective.
  • Openly receive and give feedback on his / her performance.
  • Apply feedback and pursue additional learning to strengthen his / her performance.

Effective Communication

  • Adapt his / her communication style to reflect and connect with the diverse experiences of participants.
  • Explain complex topics in a non-technical way.

Personal Responsibility

  • Always act professionally, meeting Generation’s expectations and policies, even under pressure.
  • Set and attain goals, even in difficult circumstances.
  • Acknowledge mistakes and learn from them.
  • Work independently with limited oversight and seek assistance when needed.

INTERESTED candidates please submit your applications to genkcareers@generation.org attaching your latest resume and cover letter. The deadline for submissions is 3rd June 2025. Kindly indicate in the Email subject: Instructor – Sewing Machine Operator. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Equality and diversity: Generation is committed both to promoting equality and diversity within the organization and to equal opportunities in employment. We believe in equality of opportunity regardless of race or racial group (including colour, nationality, ethnicity, national origins), religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender re-assignment and gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy, maternity and paternity. This also includes any incidents of perceptive or associative discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are made entirely on merit. Generation does not ask for payment from people that apply for jobs with Generation at any stage of the hiring process. If you have any specific queries, please feel free to contact us at genkcareers@generation.org

To report instances of fraud or unethical business practices by any of our staff, vendors or mobilisers please reach out on this link for our Ethics hotline and / or the executive leadership team on kenyasmt@generation.org

About Generation

Generation is a global employment nonprofit network that supports people to achieve economic mobility so they can change their lives. We train and place adults into careers that would otherwise be inaccessible and seek to improve how education to employment systems function. Generation launched in 2015 and consists of a global hub and a network of in-country affiliates that span countries. To date, Generation has more than graduates who have earned more than in wages, and works with more than employers, implementation partners, and funders.